85,000 miles... rear suspension feels soft

[Manhattan]

I bought my '06 with 39k. It always felt a bit soft - especially the rear suspension. I wonder if, as the Land Cruiser became less and less an off-road "truck" and more and more a luxury grocery getter, if Toyota softened things up. The 100 will actually bottom out over some speed humps or hard transitions. e.g. road to parking lot, etc.

I'm wondering if it's time for springs and shocks. My plans for the truck include a front bumper, but not a rear bumper, and no drawers, etc. I'd be down with a bit more lift - like 1-1.5" all around, but mainly want to firm things up.

I'd love some input from you guys.
thanks!

 

[TXLX100]

You could start with a stronger spring and more tension on the OEM torsion bars. I've noticed a lot of members here change / upgrade springs often, I bet you could get a set of firmer springs pretty cheap through here. You can shop slee off-road to see what products might work for lifting your truck considering a light load.

 

[Manhattan]

Went camping this past weekend... Really surprised how much of a saggin wagon the 100 was.
The truck was carrying camping gear - but not much else, e.g. 10-man tent, two camp chairs, pop-up canopy, cooler, food, two duffles, that's about it.
My 11-heard-old daughter and I rode up front.
The 3rd row is out.
The 2nd row was folded up, and the gear was below the bottom of the back window - to give an indication how "loaded" the truck was.
And, the thing sagged about 1.5". The truck handled noticeably different - that light steering wheel feel.
I'm just surprised the suspension on a Land Cruiser at (now) 87k would be this worn out.

So, is it time for springs? Springs and shocks? Springs, shocks and TBs?

As I mentioned up there, I don't have plans for a steel back bumper, drawers, etc. The 100 sees very light hauling duty.

Thanks!

 

[stonepa]

I think you are either much more heavily loaded than you think or there is a problem. I've never had this issue even when heavily loaded, unless pulling a trailer with a high tongue weight.

 

[TXLX100]

Went camping this past weekend... Really surprised how much of a saggin wagon the 100 was.
The truck was carrying camping gear - but not much else, e.g. 10-man tent, two camp chairs, pop-up canopy, cooler, food, two duffles, that's about it.
My 11-heard-old daughter and I rode up front.
The 3rd row is out.
The 2nd row was folded up, and the gear was below the bottom of the back window - to give an indication how "loaded" the truck was.
And, the thing sagged about 1.5". The truck handled noticeably different - that light steering wheel feel.
I'm just surprised the suspension on a Land Cruiser at (now) 87k would be this worn out.

So, is it time for springs? Springs and shocks? Springs, shocks and TBs?

As I mentioned up there, I don't have plans for a steel back bumper, drawers, etc. The 100 sees very light hauling duty.

Thanks!

If you don't have heavy plans for your 100, You could replace the springs with OEM and that should get you back to stock "sag" levels. You could also consider adding an airbag kit to the rear to provide some more support when you are loaded occasionally. Springs wear out over time. And maybe a few cranks on the TB's if you feel like the front is getting soft.

I'm not 100% sure, but there is likely an aftermarket heavier spring option available that will keep you close to factory height.